Marlin 917VS-CF Question

[bigthaiboy]

I just bought a Marlin 917VS-CF since I've been interested in getting a varmint set-up and playing around with the .17HMR round for a while. Wondered whether any 917 owners could tell me what they think of the new T-900 trigger system?



I also have a Barska 6.5-20x50 Varmint scope laying around collecting dust, which I was thinking of using. Is this too much scope for a .17HMR set-up?


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[inkedshooter]

When I got my Savage .17hmr I had the same scope on it for a while. It's too much scope for the rifle and the glass clarity is ok. I invested in a Mueller APV 4.5-14x40mm. For the price of around $130 it's a great scope and clarity of the glass is great. I zeroed mine at 100 yards set at 10x and can plink off a squirrel from a 100 yards with close to no bullet drop.

[bigthaiboy]

Thanks Inked for the advice on the scope.

Just out of interest, what type of caliber is the Barska 6.5-20x50 Varmint better suited for? .223?

[nobs11]

Just out of interest, what type of caliber is the Barska 6.5-20x50 Varmint better suited for? .223?

None

Sorry, hard to resist.

The magnification numbers on most low end scopes are meaningless really. Past 10x or so, image quality gets worse (even compared to what it is to start with).

[Kiba]

The factory trigger sucks IMO... too heavy and too much creep. First thing I did on my Marlin 917 VSF was to install a Rifle Basix trigger... I never even fired it with the factory trigger. I dry fired it the day it arrived at my FFL and ordered the rifle basix that day so I would have it as soon as it was out of 10 day jail. I have the RB trigger adjusted for a very crisp 1.5# pull.

I run a Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24 x 40 on my 917 in a BKL #261 mount; I do a lot of ground squirrel shooting in walnut orchards with it and the extra magnification is very handy when the furry bastards are hiding in pruned branches or near sprinklers. The 4200 is good glass, but costs more than the rifle...

I didn't like the factory stock much and swapped it out for a Revival Industries laminate thumbhole. Much more comfy and a better cheekweld than the factory stock.

All that being said, the basic action & barrel have been reliable and very accurate.

[inkedshooter]

I agree with nobs11, the Barska is just an ok scope. I tried it on a few of my rifles and never realy liked it. It did function ok at 10x but any setting above 16x vision through the glass was quite blurry. It's prob be fine on an AR-15 shooting out to maybe 300 yards, but would be better to invest in a better scope.

[pat4wd]

I have run a couple of the Muellers and they are great scopes Give one a shot of you dont run what you have....... Also check out rimfirecentral.com for tons of info on the marlin..BTW I just picked up the same rifle up today with a wood stock and blue barrel..

[scootergmc]

The trigger sucks. Get the Rifle Basix kit or a Savage with the Accutrigger.

Another opportunity to post a pic of my marlin 917:

[bigthaiboy]

Thanks for the advice on the Rifle Basix trigger. Is this a self-install drop in trigger? I dry fired the T-900 in the store and figured it to be around 4.5lbs. Definitely, on the heavy side for this set-up.

I figured the Barska would be too much scope for a .17HMR, but I think I might give it a go and put it on the Marlin for at least one range visit, purely so I can first-hand physically see the limitations of a lens in this price range / magnification - out of educational curiousity. Like I said, it was a scope I had sitting around which I bought some time ago on clearance ($35), but never had any particular rifle in mind for it. It's been out of it's box twice.

I'm not surprised at what you say about the scope, but thought Barska were better than many others in the same price range. I'm not expecting the quality of the Barska to be too different from what you say it will be. Just curious to see it and gives me a better idea of what to look for in a scope in future.

Scootergmc, that's a very pretty stock you got there.

Is there such a thing as .17HMR with a pure copper bullet?

[Somekindagenius]

Thanks for the advice on the Rifle Basix trigger. Is this a self-install drop in trigger? I dry fired the T-900 in the store and figured it to be around 4.5lbs. Definitely, on the heavy side for this set-up.

I figured the Barska would be too much scope for a .17HMR, but I think I might give it a go and put it on the Marlin for at least one range visit, purely so I can first-hand physically see the limitations of a lens in this price range / magnification - out of educational curiousity. Like I said, it was a scope I had sitting around which I bought some time ago on clearance ($35), but never had any particular rifle in mind for it. It's been out of it's box twice.

I'm not surprised at what you say about the scope, but thought Barska were better than many others in the same price range. I'm not expecting the quality of the Barska to be too different from what you say it will be. Just curious to see it and gives me a better idea of what to look for in a scope in future.

Scootergmc, that's a very pretty stock you got there.

Is there such a thing as .17HMR with a pure copper bullet?

No non-lead HMRs on the market yet. Hopefully we'll see some at shot show.

[pat4wd]

you keep saying over powered as far as the scope for that gun.. But if it is for punching paper there is no overpowered..